Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre was designated a National Historic Landmark in August, 2015 thanks in part to the efforts of FoRR volunteers.

Red Rocks has a long history of amazing music and magical moments for concert goers and park visitors. Red Rocks is more than simply a place to see a concert. It is 868 acres that deserves to be cared for and preserved for future generations. The Ampitheatre is a geologic wonder, and is a rare naturally occurring ampitheatre with perfect acoustics. The City of Denver purchased the park in 1927 from a private landowner for $54,133. The ampitheatre was completed in 1941 by the workers living at the Morrison CCC Camp. The CCC was a program created as part of Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal in an effort to bring the United States out of the Depression.

As the ampitheatre popularity and City of Denver grew, so did the impacts on Red Rocks. Friends of Red Rocks began in 1999 as a reaction of concerned citizens to the corporatization of Red Rocks Park. Specific concerns at the time included converting the planter boxes with trees of historic value into cooperate box seats, selling advertising and naming rights of the venue and pushing through 'improvements' at too fast a pace. Friends of Red Rocks continues to stay involved and up to date on current issues affecting the park.

Each month, volunteers come together on the last Saturday of the month to clean up the park. We meet at 9:30 in the lower south lot. All are welcome to join us. We also manage the small native garden by the trading post, work to educate patrons in a friendly way, stay current on events impacting the park, and stay involved with advocating for the park and amiptheatre.

We encourage concert patrons to come on out and have a great time, and we ask that they do so in an environmentally responsible way. Simple things, like packing out your trash or finding the nearest recycling bin, staying on the trails, and being considerate of wildlife will help keep the park beautiful and open for future generations.

Next Monthly Clean up will be July 29th at 9:30am. FoRR meets in the lower south parking lot.

Members that are interested in a Board position please submit a Letter of Interest by January 16th, 2017 detailing your qualifications, experience, and why your Board service would benefit the preservation of Red Rocks and the organization. These statements will be made public for review in the weeks leading up to the election. Please limit your letter to no more than one page.

We depend on your generous donations to operate. Please consider making a donation today by clicking on the donate button on the right.

Did you know?

There have been more shows scheduled at Red Rocks in the last decade than there were in the preceding 60 years?

That it took the natural amphitheater of Red Rocks more than 200 million years to form?

That the theater was designed by architect Burnham Hoyt, who modeled it after the Theatre of Dionysus at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece?

That The Trading Post was built in 1931; it opened selling hot dogs for a dime and ice cream for a nickel? It is now home to the Colorado Hall of Fame and a Red Rocks merchandise store.

That The Beatles’ 1964 show at Red Rocks was the only show that didn’t sell out of their first American tour? Red Rocks is one of four venues that the Beatles visited on that tour that still stands.

That both of Red Rocks massive monoliths — Creation Rock and Ship Rock — are 300 feet tall, almost as tall as London’s Big Ben?

That each piece of sandstone used in building Red Rocks was harvested from a quarry in Lyons?

That an estimated 750,000 non-concertgoers visit Red Rocks every year?

That AEG and LiveNation book the vast majority of shows there, but Red Rocks is an open venue, meaning anyone can book it?

That The Civilian Conservation Corps built barn-door entrances in the backstage area to accommodate the height of a rider on a horse?

These fun facts are credited to The Denver Post. You can read these and more at http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/02/seventy-five-facts-about-red-rocks/

Email

friendsofredrocks@hotmail.com

Red Rocks

18300 W. Alameda Parkway

Morrison, CO 80465

Donate

Volunteers educating and welcoming patrons at String Cheese Incident, one of Colorado's favorite home grown bands at one one of Colorado's favorite venues!

Thank you @umphreysmcgee @outlierproductions @phillewisart and @hydroflask for the great music, the best water bottles and the awesome artwork! We are grateful you are supporting our efforts to #preservethemagic

Friends of Red Rocks has the greatest volunteers! We do monthly clean ups, trail building, maintain a native garden by the trading post, educate concert goers about red rocks history and how to leave no trace at concerts, and work to keep the park clean and pristine. #preservethemagic #FoRR #reducereuserecycle #redrocks

Happy 76th Red Rocks! Red Rocks officially opened on June 15, 1941. A Special thanks goes out to all the CCC workers that built this unique amphitheater and to Denver architect Burnham Hoyt, who designed the amphitheater with the goal of preserving the natural surroundings. Red Rocks Park acquired National Historic Landmark status in 2015, receiving the honorary award a year ago today. Friends of Red Rocks continues to work to preserve the park for its natural beauty and is grateful for the countless volunteer hours that go into supporting our mission.